Outrun and outmanoeuvred in the round-of-16 opener which saw them collapse from two goals ahead, a collection of players who’ve delivered six-successive Serie A titles had supposedly run a race too far.

As Spurs again burst out of the block in the second leg, the end seemed nigh. How wrong we all were.

The 33-year-old Giorgio Chiellini was the best player on the pitch, making the joint-most tackles (four), plus most clearances (13) and blocks (three). The 40-year-old Gianluigi Buffon was written off after the first leg, yet one save in particular from Son was outstanding.

The 34-year-old right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner emerged from the bench and had a huge hand in Higuain’s volley. Even derided 30-year-old Germany centre midfielder Khedira decisively stepped it up.

These veterans set the base for emerging Argentina forward Paulo Dybala to clinch it with a deadly shot when played clean through. There is still plenty of life in the Old Lady.

Gonzalo Higuain of Juventus scores the equalising goal.

MASTER AND APPRENTICE

The contrast in hype surrounding the two men in the dugouts is glaring.

Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino is cast as the coming force in club management, his tactical fluidity and belief in attacking football attracting admiring glances across Europe.

For Juventus supremo Massimiliano Allegri, an air of reluctant acceptance often surrounds his sterling achievements. It could be linked to the way his AC Milan stint started with glory and then slowly disintegrated, or the fact he inherited a winning machine in Turin.

But these views do great disservice to the latter and overplay the achievements of the former.

Pochettino gets all the plaudits, but he has no trophies. Glaringly, this submission he oversaw is typical of the ‘Spursy’ nature so mocked by opposing fans.

It had echoes of the 2015/16 Premier League collapse to third-place in a two-horse race and the 4-2 loss to Chelsea in last term’s FA Cup semi-finals.

Allegri rose his troops off the ground at Wembley, decisively correcting his error to start veteran Andrea Barzagli at right-back by bringing on Lichtsteiner and ramping up the intensity when required.

His lauded opposite number can still only dream of making two of the last three Champions League finals and lifting nine major trophies.

2 - Premier League clubs lost just three of their 36 Champions League games in 2017-18 before Spurs & Manchester City lost tonight. Blip.

Man City player ratings as Aymeric Laporte gets 4 but Leroy Sane impresses in defeat to Basel

Claudio Bravo – Alert against Basel’s pacy attackers on edge of box, charging out three times to defuse dangerous situations. However there’s a reason why Pep Guardiola replaced him with Ederson – he was far too easily beaten at the near post for Michael Lang’s winner. 5

Danilo – Did not cover himself in glory for breakdown in defence that led to Mohamed Elyounoussi’s equaliser. Regained composure and made a couple of key interceptions down his flank. 6

John Stones – It should worry City fans that Stones has taken a major step back since last season – did little to calm down a defence that has had little time together when he should be taking the lead as the most experienced man. 5

Aymeric Laporte – A night to forget for the January signing. Out of position for the first goal and weakly attempts to stop Lang before the Switzerland international fired in Basel’s second. 4

Oleksandr Zinchenko – Plenty of potential, but has recently showed evidence of a reckless streak. Too many times he was caught on his heels in the opposition half and stumbled over his own feet trying to chase back. 4

Ilkay Gundogan – Not at his metronomic best and, in a criticism that could be levelled to the whole City team, did not look motivated by the ‘challenge’. Man who set record for most touches in Premier League game against Chelsea only had 63 in a possession-heavy game before being hooked in the 65th minute. 5

Yaya Toure – Has received very few minutes this year and it showed in defence, as he was slow to chase down in the build-up to Lang’s winner. To his credit, he kept City ticking over in possession at a 97.3 per cent pass success rate. 6

Phil Foden – Though it is easy to see why Pep Guardiola is taking it slowly with the prodigiously talented 17-year-old, showed enough deft touches and forward drive to highlight why he is so highly rated. 6

Bernardo Silva – When City looked like they would canter to victory in the first quarter-hour, Bernardo was at the heart of every move with his superb left foot. Faded, but is a genuine force at the Etihad after a slow start. 7

Gabriel Jesus – Plenty of energy without the finesse as he works his way back from injury. Simplest of finishes but for the rest of the night was frustrated by a Basel side that grew in confidence. 6

Leroy Sane – Knocked off his stride by a horror challenge a couple of months ago but on this evidence, he’s right back up to speed. Made three key passes, four dribbles, though like every City player had a so-so second half at best. 7

SUBSTITUTES

Brahim Diaz – It’s not just Phil Foden who is the future at the Etihad.The 18-year-old immediately resuscitated a flagging City after coming on for Gundogan, with one particular special dribble during which he beat four players. 7

Tosin Adarabioyo – Guardiola gave the 20-year-old defender the shortest of run-outs as he replaced Foden in the 88th minute. N/A

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